44 Sayings From Your Dad That Make Great New Year’s Resolutions
If you’re making New Year’s resolutions, remember the advice, warnings, and reprimands, your dad said to you when you were a kid.
Whatever Dad wanted you to do, chances are bosses want too. Whatever made your dad mad will likely make interviewers and bosses mad too.
Remember when Dad asked:
1. What do you think you’re doing!?
That is, do think about what you’re doing. Do things on purpose. Put Dad on your shoulder, and listen to him ask you, “What do you think you’re doing?” when…
*When you’re walking into a job interview: What do you think you’re doing? Maybe you think you’re there to “check it out.” Maybe you’re there to get a job. Either way, that’s likely to be what you’ll end up doing.
*When you join a group of people who are complaining about the boss or gossiping: What do you think you’re doing?
*When you’re blowing off the duties you don’t like: What do you think you’re doing?
*When you are doing anything where your judgment matters: What do you think you’re doing? Well, what?
When you had a disappointment or a problem, and you were ready to give up on because it seemed impossible to solve, Dad might have said:
2. There’s more than one way to skin a cat.
Or, “If at first you don’t succeed, try again” – but in a new way. If you can get creative in finding ways to get things done, you can ride that ability right to the top! Creative problem-solvers are prized in the workplace over people with skills and experience. Skills can be trained and experience can be gained.
3. Crying about it won’t fix it.
In your career, as in all of life, there will be all kinds of adversities – a failed deal, a lost opportunity, a lost job, a mean boss. But you can choose what you will do with your adversities – cry about them or make music!
“If you break up with your partner, go straight to the studio. You’re going to make great music.” B.o.B.
When you were going out to school, a date, or anyplace, maybe your dad said:
4. Cover yourself. You’re not going out in that!
If your clothes were too revealing or outrageous for Dad, chances are they won’t work for the person interviewing you for a job either.
5. Go put on a clean shirt. Have some pride about yourself!
Most people don’t notice or care how much your clothes cost, but they notice if they aren’t clean and neat. Look in the mirror. What do your clothes say about you?
“She wears her clothes as if they are thrown on with a pitchfork.” (Jonathan Swift)
When you said you had a grade or a competition nailed, he may have told you:
6. Don’t get overconfident. When you let down, remember there’s someone else out there who’s still working to pass you.
When you were being rude, angry, or a jerk, maybe he said:
7. Wipe that look off your face.
Don’t let your face give away thoughts that are best kept private. If you didn’t get the job, the problem may not be in your resume, but in how you were perceived. Arrogant? Disinterested? Complacent? Irritated?